The New Indian Journal of OBGYN. Epub Ahead of Print

Maternal mortality due to Covid-19: a retrospective case series

Sanjay Singh, Vinod Nair, Ravindu Tiwari, Devendra Arora, Madhusudan Dey, Abhijeet Kumar, Shyamji Tiwari

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the clinical course of critically ill, SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women and to critically analyze the circumstances which led to their mortality. Methods: A retrospective review of case records examined to analyze the clinical condition with which critically ill SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant patients were admitted, the in-patient management protocol followed and subsequent clinical course which led to their deaths. Results: There were a total number of 13 maternal deaths which were directly attributed to COVID-19 pneumonia during the study period. Many of these patients had reported with poor oxygen saturation at the time of admission. Oxygen therapy, plasma therapy, antiviral drugs and immunomodulators were administered as part of in -patient management protocol. Conclusion: There is an urgent need of dedicated COVID care facilities for pregnant women. Maternal mortality has always been a matter of concern during any pandemic. Specific needs of pregnant women during this pandemic require urgent attention.